thời cuộc

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The current situation / state of affairs: Refers to the overall social, political, and economic circumstances of a specific period. It implies a broad, often complex, and evolving context.
   • The times / the current era: Denotes the general spirit, trends, and conditions characteristic of a particular historical moment.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ấy rất am hiểu thời cuộc. (He has a deep understanding of the current situation.)
  • Thời cuộc hiện nay đòi hỏi sự linh hoạt. (The present times demand flexibility.)
  • Một nhà lãnh đạo phải biết nắm bắt thời cuộc. (A leader must know how to grasp the state of affairs.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is often used in formal, analytical, or literary contexts to discuss macro-level trends, strategic positioning, or historical analysis. It carries a weightier, more intellectual connotation than simpler words for "situation."

Variants and Related Words

• Thời thế (n): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with thời cuộc to mean the trend or force of the times.

  • Thời thế tạo anh hùng. (The times make heroes.)

• Tình hình (n): A more general and neutral term for "situation" or "state," applicable to both large-scale and specific contexts.

  • Tình hình kinh tế ổn định. (The economic situation is stable.)

Synonyms

• Current circumstances: The existing state of affairs.
• The zeitgeist: The defining spirit or mood of a particular period.
• The lay of the land: The general state or condition of affairs.

Related Idioms

• Theo dõi thời cuộc: to follow current events/the situation closely.

  • Ông ấy ngày nào cũng đọc báo để theo dõi thời cuộc. (He reads the newspaper every day to follow current events.)

• Nắm bắt thời cuộc: to grasp/understand the trends of the times.

  • Doanh nghiệp thành công là do biết nắm bắt thời cuộc. (The business succeeded because it knew how to grasp the trends of the times.)